Stevens Introduces 10-Title Telecom Bill
Senate Commerce Committee Chmn. Stevens (R-Alaska) Mon. introduced a telecom bill reflecting several members’ input but lacking strong Democratic support. The 10-title bill hits Universal Service Fund (USF) reform, municipal broadband, net neutrality, white spaces and broadcast flag, and would close the terrestrial loophole for cable. Bell companies applauded the Stevens bill.
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His bill’s “overarching theme” is broadband deployment, Stevens said on the floor. The bill’s centerpiece is the video franchise section, Stevens said. The bill is based largely on a measure (S-1504) introduced by Sen. Ensign (R- Nev.), but includes a 30-day shot clock for negotiations.
Committee Co-Chmn. Inouye (D-Hawaii) agreed to co- sponsor Stevens’ bill in the “spirit of bipartisanship,” but his gesture is “not a demonstration of support for the bill itself,” he said. The committee can begin a full review, “now that the Majority Staff’s draft is no longer a secret,” he said. Inouye criticized the bill for failing to have an “enforceable provision” on net neutrality.
Inouye’s co-sponsorship irked some Democrats, Hill sources said, though his remarks made clear his ire at being frozen out of the drafting -- a gripe some Republican staffers also had. “Lobbyists were reviewing drafts of the bill before staffers got a copy,” said one Republican staffer, who said the bill is “so large it’s unlikely to see floor time.”
Bell companies lauded the bill. USTelecom Pres. Walter McCormick called it a “significant step toward meaningful reform.” AT&T endorsed the bill: “Chairman Stevens and Sen. Inouye have taken a bold step introducing legislation that will bring video choice for consumers and investment in the future’s broadband infrastructure,” said Exec. Vp-Federal Relations Tim McKone. Verizon also welcomed the bill.
The bill, which incorporates elements of measures already introduced, in some cases diverges from those models. Inouye is let down that it didn’t work in the video franchise principles he backs as a means of obtaining strong local govt. participation, he said.
The committee plans 2 public hearings on the bill and a markup session after the Memorial Day recess. Hearing and markup dates haven’t been set, the committee said.
Meanwhile, the House delayed consideration of the Commerce Committee video bill until next week or the week after so the Judiciary Committee has time to argue for jurisdiction, Hill and industry sources said. Among key Judiciary interests noted in a 15-page letter sent the parliamentarian is its net neutrality language, which Judiciary believes could bring the bill into its wheelhouse, sources said. House leadership is “reluctant to get in the middle” of a turf war, one source said.
“We'd like to keep the process moving,” said a House aide. He doesn’t think Judiciary will succeed in wresting control of the bill, but does think there are enough votes to pass the bill on the floor, he said.